More than a dozen secretaries of state from both sides of the aisle have sent a letter to Senate leaders decrying a rider attached to the reauthorization of the Department of Homeland Security would allow the Secret Service to be sent to polling places during a federal elections.

"This is an alarming proposal which raises the possibility that armed federal agents will be patrolling neighborhood precincts and vote centers," according to the letter, which was obtained by CNN.

A spokesman for the Secret Service said the rider was grossly overstated and that it would only permit them to enter polling places with protectees.